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1957 Corvette Performance & Specifications

Powertrain, Steering, Brakes, Dimensions, & Suspension

1957 Chevrolet Corvette

Chevrolet Introduced the Corvette in 1953

While General Motors still recorded only modest sales of the Chevrolet Corvette in 1956, it was apparent to everyone that it was also beginning to be taken seriously as a sports car. Even after the immense structural, physical, and mechanical facelift it received in 1956, Corvette saw some major improvements in 1957.

For more: 1957 Corvette Research Guide

1957 Corvette Specifications

1957 C1 Corvette Main Specs

MODEL: 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
BODY STYLE: Two-door convertible, front-engine, rear-wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION: St. Louis, Missouri
CONSTRUCTION: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, steel frame with steel and chrome structural & chassis components.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): E56S001001 THRU E56S004467
VIN PREFIX: EF: 283 CUBIC INCH, 220 HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EG: 283 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EH: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EL: 283 CUBIC INCH, 283 HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EM: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EN: 283 CUBIC INCH, 283 HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
FG: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FH: 283 CUBIC INCH, 220 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FK: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: 3731548: ALL
HEAD NUMBER: 3740997: 283 CUBIC INCH, 220 HP, 245 HP, 250 HP, 270 HP
3731539: 283 CUBIC INCH, 283 HP
CARBURETOR NUMBERS: CARTER 2362S #3720953: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, REAR CARBURETOR
CARTER 2366S A #3733246: 283 CUBIC INCH, 220 HP, FIRST DESIGN
CARTER 2419S #3730599: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, FRONT CARB, 1ST
CARTER 2613S #3740189: 283 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, FRONT CARB
CARTER 2614S #3741090: 283 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, REAR CARB
CARTER 2626S #3744002: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, FRONT CARB, 2ND
CARTER 2627S #3744004: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, REAR CARB, 2ND
CARTER 2655S #3744925: 283 CUBIC INCH, 220 HP, 2ND DESIGN
FUEL INJECTION NUMBER: ROCHESTER 7014360: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, 283 HP, EARLY PROD.
ROCHESTER 7014520: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, 283 HP
ROCHESTER 7014800: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, 283 HP, LATE PROD.
ROCHESTER 7014960: 283 CUBIC INCH, 283 HP, LATE PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: 1110889: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, 283 HP
1110891: 283 CUBIC INCH, 220 HP, 245 HP, 270 HP
1110905: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP (MANUAL/AUTOMATIC), 283 HP
1110906: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1110908: 283 CUBIC INCH, 283 HP
GENERATOR NUMBER: 1102043: ALL
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: OCTOBER, 1956: 100580, NOVEMBER, 1956: 101070, MAY, 1957: 104331, JUNE, 1957:104924, JULY, 1957: 105584, AUGUST, 1957: 106229, SEPTEMBER, 1957: 106339,

1957 C1 Corvette Engine 

1957 Corvette Engine & Transmission

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, 1×4 Barrel Carburetor (BASE ENGINE)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 300 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Four Barrel Carburetor
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 220 HP @ 4,600 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

 

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, 2×4 Barrel Carburetor (RPO 469A)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 300 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Duak Four  Barrel Carburetors
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 245 HP @ 5,000 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

 

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, 2×4 Barrel Carburetor (RPO 469C)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 285 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Dual Four Barrel Carburetors
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 270 HP @ 6,000 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

 

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, Fuel Injected (RPO 579A)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 305 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Fuel Injected with Powerglide
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 250 HP @ 5,000 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

 

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, Fuel Injected (RPO 579B)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 290 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Fuel Injection
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 283 HP @ 6,200 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

 

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, Fuel Injected (RPO 579C)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 305 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Fuel Injected with Powerglide
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 9.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 250 HP @ 5,000 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

 

ENGINE: 4.6 OHV V-8, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled, Fuel Injected (RPO 579E)
BLOCK MATERIAL: Cast Iron
VALVE TRAIN: OHV, 2 valves per cyl.
TORQUE: 300 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
MAX. ENGINE RPM: N/A
DISPLACEMENT: 4.6 Litre/283 Cubic Inches
CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: Cast Iron
FUEL DELIVERY: Fuel Injection
RECOMMENDED FUEL: N/A
BORE: 3.875 x 3.00 inches
COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.50:1
HORSEPOWER: 283 HP @ 6,200 RPM
EST. MPG: N/A
TRANSMISSION: 3-SPEED MANUAL (STANDARD),  2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC. (OPTIONAL)
STANDARD AXLE RATIO: 3.70:1

1957 C1 Corvette Engine

1957 Corvette Car Dimensions

1957 Corvette Dimensions

Exterior Dimensions Interior Dimensions
Wheelbase: 102 Inches Headroom: N/A
Overall Length: 168 Inches Shoulder Room: N/A
Total Body Width: 70.5 Inches Hip Room: N/A
Overall Height: 51.1 Inches Leg Room: N/A
Front Track Width: 57.0 Inches
Rear Track Width: 59.0 Inches

 

Capacities
Passenger Capacity: 2 Passengers
Curb Weight (LBS/KG): 2,985
Cargo Volume (CU.FT/LITERS): N/A
Fuel Capacity (GALLONS/LITERS): N/A
 Engine Oil Capacity (QTS./LITERS): 5.5

1957 Corvette Wheels, Tires & Suspension

Wheels/Tires
Front Tires: 6.70 x 15 inch, 24 psi.
Rear Tires: 6.70 x 15 inch, 24 psi.
Front Wheels: Steel disc with safety rims. 15 x 5k
Rear Wheels: Steel disc with safety rims.  15 x 5k

 

Suspension
Front: Independent; unequal-length A-arms, coil springs, antiroll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear: Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, antiroll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers

 

Brakes
Front: Hydraulic Drum Brakes. 11 inch drums
Rear: Hydraulic Drum Brakes. 11 inch drums

1957 C1 Corvette

1957 Corvette Performance

Published Performance Results
0-30 MPH: N/A
0-60 MPH: 5.7 Seconds
0-100 MPH: 16.8 Seconds
Quarter Mile: 14.30 Seconds
Top Speed: 132 MPH